Oklahoma's unemployment rate rose last month

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma's unemployment rate rose in May to 4.5 percent, the first increase since January, according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.<br/><br/>Though the state

Friday, June 24th 2005, 11:26 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma's unemployment rate rose in May to 4.5 percent, the first increase since January, according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

Though the state gained 5,100 total nonfarm jobs in May, the labor pool increased by 6,100.

"From April to May, growth in the service-providing industries was slow, resulting in a larger-than-normal increase in unemployment," said Lynn Gray, chief economist for the commission.

Seasonal jobs in construction and leisure and hospitality, however, held steady. Leisure and hospitality showed a gain of 1.4 percent, or 700 jobs, with more than three-quarters of the growth coming from the accommodations and food services sector.

In a more long-term estimate, the state actually added 25,500 jobs since May 2004, with a 2 percent growth in service-providing industries, said commission spokesman John Carpenter.

Tulsa and Oklahoma City both gained jobs in May and since the same month a year ago. Oklahoma City added 3,300 jobs during the month and 10,600 for the year. Tulsa gained 2,800 jobs in May and 3,700 for the year.